We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($528 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have able to apply modernized methods of cultivation that included hiring tractors which enabled me cultivate two and a half acre of my farm. Today, I have enough food in my household until the next season after harvesting seven bags of maize and beans. I am certain my children wouldn't miss a meal like before which was as a result of using oxen plough that could led to late cultivation resulting to poor harvest over the seasons.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a good thing by giving the most poorest person money through putting key measures of preventing importers when dealing with individual households and not groups by conducting door to door visits to evaluate the levels of poverty.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to buy building materials such as timbers , iron sheets which I am using the at the moment to construct my new spacious house . Having this house completed would be a big relieve because I will no longer stay in a small house . I paid school fees for my child who is primary . I also bought food and clothes for the Christmas festive season .
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($540 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Since I am a farmer I have always desired to own bulls for along period of time. Because of my low financial status, I could not afford to buy any. The little profits I was getting from the sale of my farm products were not enough for me to buy the oxen. The coming of GiveDirectly has really transformed me because I am nowadays a hopeful and ambitious farmer. I will now be able to cultivate several acres of my farm in a good time since I now have the oxen. This means I will be getting plenty of harvests. Previously, I could only get a few sacks because I did not have enough money to hire people to help me in the preparation of my farm. The oxen will not only increase my farm produce but also earn more income by hiring them to other farmers. I am hopeful that my life will change completely, I will no longer strain like I used to do.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I still remember that day very well, it was around 6 am when my son broke the news that GiveDirectly had debited my first transfer into my account. At first, I thought he was kidding. We joke a lot with him and I couldn't just believe him at that moment. When he insisted, I decided to take the phone and confirmed that the message was indeed true. I was so excited. I just wish you could see how elated I was. May they continue changing other people's because whatever they are doing revives hope to desperate families like ours.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a pair of oxen. This has been my long-time dream because I have been a farmer for a long period of time and owning the oxen would lessen my work on the farm. I then bought a few iron sheets. I wanted to renovate my previous house since it was small and the roof always leaked whenever it rained. In addition to that, I also hired people to cultivate my farm. I later saved a little amount just in case an emergency arises. I spent the remaining amount of money to buy enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better livelihood for my family. At the moment I struggle a lot to feed and even educate the children. When my husband was alive, things we better. He used to sufficiently provide for our needs, but things took a drastic turn after his death. I had to step in as a sole breadwinner, and a caregiver altogether. Juggling between the two has been overwhelming and at some point, I failed to meet the educational needs of the children. Once I receive, I intend to invest in the education of my child. And to achieve this I will buy goats that I will be raising, and because they multiply rapidly, education fee will no longer be a problem. I will also start a small business that can earn me a daily income. This will enable me to meet the needs of the family with much ease.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. Having accomplished the day's activities, I always take time to bond with my children over dinner. It is always an enjoyable moment and everyone looks forward to it.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My inability to sufficiently provide for the family has been the biggest hardship in life. Ever since my husband died four years ago, it has been extremely difficult to make ends meet. At the moment, we survive from the little income I earn from charcoal burning of which it is hardly enough to sustain our needs. This has led to a lot compromising, like for instance, at the house live in a very old house, with walls already carving in. Again, my son failed to secure admission to secondary school due to lack of fees. The situation has been frustrating and it breaks my heart as a mother to see him engaging in odd jobs while his peers are continuing with education. Receiving this money will be a dream come through because all he desires is to attain the highest level of education and I will be happy to grant him his wish using these transfers. For the remaining part of the transfers, I will use it to build a better house.
